Saints fall to 0-2 with loss to Browns
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters
Billy Cundiff converted a 29-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to give the Cleveland Browns a 26-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. It marks the first time since 2004 that the Browns have won their home opener.
Here's what you need to know...
- The Saints got off to a slow start, as the team managed just 14 yards on 12 plays in the first quarter and trailed the Browns 10-0 after 15 minutes of play.
- Drew Brees also threw a costly interception to Browns safety Tashaun Gipson, who returned it 62 yards for a touchdown to give Cleveland a 16-3 lead.
- Brees made up for the mistake a short time later, connecting with tight end Jimmy Graham on a nine-yard touchdown to cut the Browns' lead to 16-10. He also moved into fourth place on the NFL's career yardage list, passing Hall of Famer John Elway.
- Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer completed 24-of-40 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, while Brees went 27-of-40 for 237 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
- Rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel made a few brief appearances in the second half, the first of which saw him hand the ball off to Isaiah Crowell, who gained three yards.
- Among the Browns' inactives was tight end Jordan Cameron, who continues to nurse an injured shoulder. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo was also declared out with a shoulder injury.
- Browns cornerback Joe Haden left the game briefly in the second quarter, but returned after being examined by medical staff.
- Fellow cornerback Justin Gilbert, the Browns' first-round pick in this year's draft, also left the game briefly in the third quarter to be evaluated for a possible head injury, but was cleared to return.
- Paul Kruger demolished Brees in the first quarter for his league-leading third sack of the season.